HEADQUARTERS DETACHMENT ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
In the Field, December 31, 1864

Brigadier General J. McARTHUR,

Commanding First Division;

GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that you move forward with your command to-morrow morning, January 1, 1865, at 8 a.m.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. HOUGH,

Major and Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Bull's Mills, Tenn., December 31, 1864-6 a.m.

Brigadier-General WHIPPLE,

Chief of Staff:

An intelligent and apparently truthful deserter from Roddey's command says Roddey was driven out of Decatur Tuesday morning, stampeded and scattered from Courtland the next day, and was defeated at a point on the railroad six miles west of Town Creek. The rebels supposed the force after them to be under the command of Granger, and to consist of cavalry and infantry, not less than 15,000. They are badly scared and think they are gone up. Day before yesterday heavy cannonading was heard in the direction of Eastport between 2 p.m. and dark. The deserter reports that the rear guard of Hood's command left Tuscumbia day before yesterday at noon, the advance having left on Tuesday morning. The gun-boats were within a mile of the rebel bridge at Bainbridge and the people say could have reached it without trouble.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. H. WILSON,

Brevet Major-General.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Pulaski, Tenn., December 31, 1864.

Major General J. H. WILSON,

Commanding Cavalry Corps, Mil. Div. of the Mississippi,

In the Field, Blue Water, Ala.:

GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communications of yesterday by the hands of Captain Carling. The following is a copy of communication already sent you:

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Pulaski, Tenn., December 30, 1864.

Brevet Major-General WILSON,

Commanding Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi:

SIR: Your dispatch dated Blue Water Creek, Ala., December 29, 3 p.m., just received. The major-general commanding modifies his previous order for your command, and directs that you move with it to Eastport on the Tennessee River, to reorganize. At this point you will find all the supplies you may need.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

HENRY M. CIST,

Assistant Adjutant-General.